I've heard about the rains your way, Carol, and am hoping all is okay with my California blogger friends.

I truly know what 'dreary' means! I was lucky to get a few bouquets for my birthday. I had sworn off buying flowers because the prices here are extraordinary unless marked down, and if they aren't an overstock then you can guarantee they are a little old.

I love the way you display some of your flowers in little vases...I can do that! Long lasting flowers for me (and inexpensive) are carnations and alstroemeria, or Peruvian lily. I asked about those little red berries around Christmas time as far as drying or keeping around...nope, they shrivel up. :(

I'll be near our Trader Joe's tomorrow, 45 minutes away and I may just stop!

CAROL....your mantle photo...that IS THE BEST.First of all, flowers make a house a dwelling of great beauty, then, there's LIGHT. And your mantle wall catches the perfect light. My gorgeous mantle that Ruben built me in the great room doesn't get the light I need to capture the textures, but this photo of yours is a winner. Post it on IG!!!!!

It is such a nice gift for you to be able to have fresh flowers in the house, from your garden or Trader Joe's. Those of us with allergies only wish we could enjoy them inside! I enjoy looking at your arrangements from afar!

I've been watching the weather there and wondered if you were okay where you were. I agree that flowers are needed to brighten up the inside. I love the way you put little bunches of flowers everywhere! Hope you have a lovely day!

Oh what a lovely post. Beautifully written. I love flowers too! I hope you'll come over to the new Fabulous Party. This weeks theme is 'Warm Heart'. Your post is perfect to share! The party is over here:http://ourholidayjourney.blogspot.com/2017/02/fabulous-warm-heart-week.htmlEnjoy your week!

We've had the same gray, wet days in Seattle so I can relate to your buying flowers and brightening the inside of the house. I finally brought home a bouquet last week myself. And I am watching a lone daffodil outside my window trying to burst into bloom with such eager anticipation you'd think I'd never seen one before. . .

Flowers do lift the spirits and add life to a room, I think. I''m glad the drought is ending in California, but my, what a deluge you've experienced. All of your vignettes are so pretty. Hope your week is going well.

Carol, I do love dried flowers too. I think a nice little bouquet here and there do brighten up our homes. Hope you are not getting too much rain. I have been prayer for your state. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

Hi Carol, I'm so glad that I came by to visit, because your flowers just touched my soul with a sweet breeze of Spring . . . even though we still have snow on the ground. It is melting though . . . slowly but surely :) When I am buying flowers at the market. I gently pull on a pedal from a bloom, if it releases then I know that the bouquet will not last long, but if it stays, then I should get a week or two of pleasure from my blossoms :) Try it. Oh, I'm happy that you are getting rain, maybe your summer won't be so dry this year.As always, thanks for a lovely visit.Connie :)

Everything looks so pretty. your pink flowers are carnations, if you make sure stems don't get bent they do last a while.you can plant hydrangeas on a shady side of your house.I live inland where it can get in the 100 and I've had one for about 8 yrs.it does need daily water here where it's so hot.Love you instagram !

Your cottage is like a holiday stay cation year around. Yes my dear I feel the sea air kissing my face.As for the flowers I love the spread out vignette of bottles filled with baby daisys. Another favorite is the wall pocket hello in fabric filled with what feels like fresh clippings.Every floral foto make me question why I live on a hot Southern California desert? When my heart takes me back to my life by the sea.

Blowing you sea kisses in the sea-breeze.Enjoy the flowers no matter where they come from. Keep inspiring your beach cottage life.

I must always have flowers in the house, too! And of course, living in northern IL, there aren't very many months where we have flowers in the garden. I rely on TJ's a lot. Your displays of flowers are so beautiful, as always.

Love your flower displays ~ absolutely charming! I buy flowers once a week at my HEB. They have quite a nice selection but I almost always buy daisies. They always make me happy. Loved the George Carlin quote!

Flowers certainly do have a way of bringing happiness into a home! I love them and can't wait till I can pick from my own garden. Trader Joe's is too far away for me so I have to hit our local grocers. Hoping some day they will open one closer. Everything looks simply delightful Carol! Thanks for sharing with SYC.hugs,Jann